Are we too old to do this?

Hi, we are an Australian married couple hoping to spend 12 months+ in the UK from July 2026. We have 4 adult children and have been foster carers for 20+ years. It's our time to travel (while we still have our health and can) and we have been caravanning around Australia on and off the last few years.

We are hoping to get working visas but if we can't, it's not a huge issue. We were thinking of purchasing a van and just touring around at our leisure but we have some questions and hoping you all may have suggestions that can lead us into the right direction.

Who we are:

Female - 51, teacher (high school - English, History, Religion). My Mother was born in Doncaster and came over to Australia in 1961 (age 8) never naturalised. I have 1st cousins in Glasgow and Manchester and 2nd cousins in Yorkshire.

Male - 51, Jack-of-all trades - experience as spare parts interpreter, Agricultural equipment mechanic, general repair man, teacher assistant, computer technical support, martial art instructor, mechanical engineer, disability support. His Grandfather was born in London and immigrated to Australia in 1915.

Do you think we would have trouble getting part time work? Also happy to just pour beers, use my teacher voice, and wash dishes to earn a few ££££.

We are also hoping to bring our little sociable dog with us so hoping that isn't an issue. If anyone has had any experience bring their pet with them we would live to hear the do's, don'ts and he'll no's!

Would it be better to hire a van for the 12 months or buy?

Do we need an international licence?

What sort of Visa's should we go for?

How hard is it to get teacher registration in the UK? And what 'cards/licences/police checks are needed?

Is there a teacher relief register that is easy to put your name on?

How much will we be expected to have in the bank in order to support ourselves?

Which is the best place to start our travels?

If we earn money in the UK, do we pay double taxes - both in the UK and Aust?

Cost of living is shit everywhere but how bad is it in the UK?

Best health insurance for 12 months plus travellers?

What else do we need to know?

Anyone else who has done the same thing at this time in their life, we would live to hear from you.

We would be grateful for any advice.

Thank you in advance.